The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kennedy Igboananike

  • ‘Igboananike turned down EPL clubs for MLS’

    ‘Igboananike turned down EPL clubs for MLS’

    New Chicago Fire signing, Kennedy Igboananike, has revealed he turned down offers from English Premiership sides Southampton and Queens Park Rangers to move to the Major League Soccer in the United States.

    Igboananike goals record of 22 goals in 62 games in his two seasons with Swedish side AIK was reported to have drawn the attention of QPR and Southampton, sl10.ng reports.

    However, the 25-year-old who, also holds Sweden citizenship, said a chat with Coach Frank Yallop played a big role in his decision to snub the offer from England.

    “He (Yallop) is the reason am here, he taught me everything about the league, I’m here to help and do everything in my power to make things work for everyone here” sl10.ng quoted Igboananike as saying on the club’s official website.

    “I’m coming here to fulfill a dream, help the team win back their glories, score a lot of goals and just be happy.”

    Yallop confessed he has been tracking Igboananike since he was playing for Djurgardens, before following his development when he moved to rival AIK in November 2012.

    The manager said the striker’s pace and trickery will make him a success in the MLS.

  • Two Spanish clubs want Igboananike

    Two Spanish clubs want Igboananike

    Swedish – Nigerian forward, Kennedy Igboananike, is being chased by two Spanish clubs – Cordoba and Deportivo La Coruna, allnigeriasoccer.com reports.

    AIK has sold several players in the summer and has not ruled out Igboananike’s departure before the end of the transfer window.

    Cordoba has presented its offer for the striker, while La Coruna is also showing interest.

    Both clubs are newcomers in La Liga. While Cordoba wants to buy Igboananike outright, Deportivo is seeking a loan deal, with a purchase option.

  • Igboananike celebrates dad’s successful surgery •Holds Thanksgiving Service today

    Igboananike celebrates dad’s successful surgery •Holds Thanksgiving Service today

    AIK forward, Kennedy Igboananike will today join family members, friends and well-wishers in celebrating the successful surgery of his father, Solomon Azubuike Igboananike in Sweden with a Thanksgiving at Shasha-based Anglican Church, Lagos.

    The Stockholm-based forward, whose beautiful overhead volley against Halmstad BK at Friends Arena was listed among best goals of the 2013 campaign, told SportingLife that the Igboananikes will use today’s occasion to thank the Almighty for sparing the life of their dad and pray for more laurels in the coming year.

    “On Sunday (today), We are celebrating the successful surgery of our father some months back in Sweden. Everyone here is really excited that God has fully restored his health as we look forward to a better performance in March when the 2014 Swedish Allsvenskan kicks-off,” added the 24-year-old Igboananike who began his career with Lagos-based Dynamos Football Academy before jetting out in search of the golden-fleece when he joined Djurgårdens IF in 2007.

    Since joining AIK earlier in the year, Igboananike netted 14 goals in 29 matches and was even linked with a move to Southampton last summer alongside other suitors in Turkey and Russia.

  • Igboananike ends season on a high

    Igboananike ends season on a high

    Kennedy Igboananike finished second in the Swedish Allsvenskan scoring charts after netting for AIK in a 2-1 win over Helsingborgs in the final game of the season at the Friends Arena yesterday.

    Igboananike opened the scoring for the hosts after heading in a cross in the 11th minute.

    The goal was his 14th of the campaign, and brought him level with Helsingborg’s Iman Khalili and IFK Goteborg’s Tobias Hysen.

    Robin Quaison doubled AIK’s lead in the 36th minute, after shooting past an unexpectedly shaky Par Hansson in Helsingborg’s goal.

    Khalili denied Igboananike a chance to emerge joint-top scorer when he pulled a goal back for the visitors.

    AIK ended the season in second place with 58 points from 30 games, five points behind champions Malmo FF.